Hybrid push-to-connect fitting, device and assembly

ABSTRACT

A fitting device includes a fitting body having an interior surface defining an interior, a packing assembly maintained within the fitting body interior, a retaining nut, and a shoe member maintained between the retaining nut and the axially outer rim of the fitting body, whereupon inserted tubes or pipes can be securely inserted into the fitting interior and maintained therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to piping conduits, and more particularlyto a hybrid push-to-connect fitting device, arrangement and method thatfacilitates protection of contents.

BACKGROUND

Piping systems exist to facilitate the flow of fluids (e.g., liquid,steam, gas (such as air) or plasma). For example, homes, schools,medical facilities, commercial buildings and other occupied structuresgenerally require integrated piping systems so that water and/or otherfluids can be circulated for a variety of uses. Liquids and/or gasessuch as cold and hot water, breathable air, glycol, compressed air,inert gases, cleaning chemicals, waste water, plant cooling water andpaint and coatings are just some examples of the types of fluids andgases that can be deployed through piping systems. Tubing and pipingtypes can include, for example, copper, stainless steel, CPVC(chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) and PEX (cross-linked polyethylene).For purposes of the present disclosure, the terms “pipe”, “piping”,“tube” or “tubing” will be understood to encompass one or more pipes,tubes, piping elements and/or tubing elements, and may be usedinterchangeably.

Piping connections are necessary to join various pieces of pipe and mustbe versatile in order to adapt to changes of pipe direction required inparticular piping system implementations. For example, fittings andvalves may be employed at the ends of open pieces of pipe that enabletwo pieces of pipe to fit together in a particular configuration. Amongfitting types there are elbows, “tees”, couplings adapted for variouspurposes such as pipe size changes, ends, ball valves, stop valves, andpartial angle connectors, for example.

In the past, pipe elements have been traditionally connected by weldingand/or soldering them together using a torch. Soldering pipe fittingscan be time-consuming, unsafe, and labor intensive. Soldering alsorequires employing numerous materials, such as copper pipes andfittings, emery cloths or pipe-cleaning brushes, flux, silver solder, asoldering torch and striker, a tubing cutter and safety glasses, forexample. The process for soldering pipes can proceed by first preparingthe pipe to be soldered, as the copper surface must be clean in order toform a good joint. The end of the pipe can be cleaned on the outsidewith emery cloth or a specially made wire brush. The inside of thefitting must be cleaned as well. Next, flux (a type of paste) can beapplied to remove oxides and draw molten solder into the joint where thesurfaces will be joined. The brush can be used to coat the inside of thefitting and the outside of the pipe with the flux. Next, the two pipesare pushed together firmly into place so that they “bottom out”—i.e.,meet flush inside the fitting. The tip of the solder can be bent to thesize of the pipe in order to avoid over-soldering. With the pipes andfitting in place, the torch is then ignited with the striker or by anauto-strike mechanism to initiate soldering. After heating for a fewmoments, if the copper surface is hot enough such that it melts whentouched by the end of the solder, the solder can then be applied to thejoint seam so that it runs around the joint and bonds the pipe andfitting together.

In recent years, push-fit technology has been employed with pipingsystems, and particularly with plumbing systems, to reduce the dangersand time involved in soldering joints and other connection methods.Push-fit methods require minimal knowledge of pipe fittings and involvefar fewer materials than soldering. For example, one may only need thepipes, quick-connect fittings, a chamfer/de-burring tool and tubingcutter in order to connect pipes using push-fit technology. The stepsinvolved in connecting piping systems using push-fit technology can beoutlined as follows. First, the pipe is cut to the appropriate lengthand the end of the pipe is cleaned with the de-burring tool. Then thepipe and fitting are pushed together for connection. The fitting isprovided with a fastening ring (also called a collet, grip ring or grabring) having teeth that grip the pipe as it is inserted. The fasteningring device is employed to provide opposing energy, preventing thedevice from disconnection while creating a positive seal. Accordingly,no wrenches, clamping, gluing or soldering is involved. Push-fit and/orquick-connect technology for piping systems can be obtained, forexample, through Quick Fitting, Inc. of Warwick, R.I., USA, suppliers ofthe CoPro®, ProBite®, LocJaw™, BlueHawk™ CopperHead® and Push Connect®lines of push fittings and related products. Also, such technology isdescribed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,862,089, U.S. Pat. No.7,942,161, U.S. Pat. No. 8,205,915, U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,576, U.S. Pat.No. 8,398,122, U.S. Pat. No. 8,480,134, U.S. Pat. No. 8,844,974, U.S.Pat. No. 8,844,981, U.S. Pat. No. 9,068,680, and U.S. Pat. No.9,217,529, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by referencein their entireties.

Among other specific issues, push fitting technologies generally have nostopping force for resisting or preventing the rotation of the fittingabout an inserted tubing element. In various applications, includingwith plastic applications such as CPVC materials, it is desirable toprevent the fitting from rotating about the inserted tubing element forstability, strength, durability and overall operation. Further, suchoperational attributes facilitate application of the embodiments of thedevice of the present invention in fire suppression.

SUMMARY OF ASPECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In various embodiments of the present invention, one or more sealingmember gasket inserts (e.g., O-ring members) fit within a first sealingring compartment defined in the interior wall of the fitting body. Inaddition, at each pipe receiving end of the fitting body, a secondcompartment is machined into the interior wall to retain a fasteningring, retaining ring and lead portion of a release pusher. The secondcompartment can include a radially extending slot for receiving theradially outer fin of the retaining ring. An o-ring retainer ispositioned between the fastening ring and o-rings, resting partly withinthe first compartment and partly within the second compartment. Therelease pusher includes a head portion and a body portion, with the bodyportion having one or more cavities formed therein for receiving a shoethat extends around the circumference of an inserted pipe. The radiallyouter end of the shoe rests between the axially outer end of the fittingbody and the inner surface of the nut connector. The radially inner endof the shoe includes one or more heel members that engage the one ormore cavities of the release pusher, helping prevent rotation of therelease pusher should an inserted pipe rotate undesirably during anapplication.

In various embodiments, the nut connector is employed to provideadditional support for the fastening ring and to cooperate with therelease pusher to facilitate connection and disconnection of pipingelements while resisting up to thirty foot-pounds of rotational torque.The nut connector member further maintains the shoe, retaining ring,fastening ring and o-ring retainer in place against elements of thefitting inner wall.

Aspects of the present invention provide a novel hybrid push-to-connectfitting joint packaging arrangement comprising a fastening ring havingone or more prolated ear members, at least one o-ring member, an o-ringsupport member, a split retaining ring, a release pusher, a shoe memberand a threaded retaining cap.

The release pusher provided as part of embodiments of the presentinvention is employed to facilitate the release of tubing, piping andother cylindrical objects inserted into a fitting. The release pusher ismanually pushed into the cavity formed by the tube support member withinthe fitting body and tapered edges of the release pusher generally ornearly abut the installed fastening ring. When it is desired to releasean inserted pipe, for example, from the fitting, the release pusher canbe forced in the direction of the fastening ring such that its angularsurfaces depress the fastening ring teeth off of the surface of theinserted pipe, thereby allowing the pipe to be removed.

In various embodiments, a device according to the present inventionincludes a fitting body having an interior surface with a tube stopextending radially inwardly thereof, and one or more nut connectorassemblies provided as part of a packing arrangement comprising at leastone sealing ring, an o-ring retainer, a split retaining ring and afastening ring. The packing arrangement can further include a releasepusher positioned on the radially inward side of the nut connector,wherein the release pusher is capable of axial insertion into the cavityof the head connector in order to lift teeth of the grip ring radiallyoutwardly to permit insertion and removal of tubes to be connected viathe fitting body. In various embodiments of the present invention, therelease pusher is permanently secured to the fitting and is part of thepacking arrangement. The release pusher can also be provided with a bodyportion having one or more axially extending openings for receiving ashoe member. The shoe member rests between the fitting body and the nutconnector.

For purposes of the present disclosure, the term “tube”, “pipe”,“piping”, “conduit”, “conduit element” or “piping element” will beunderstood to encompass one or more pipes, tubes, conduits, pipingelements and/or tubing elements, and may be used interchangeably.Further, for purposes of the present disclosure, a fitting can encompassa valve member and other piping elements including, but not limited to:a coupling joint, an elbow joint, a tee joint, a stop end, a ball valvemember, tubing and other objects having substantially cylindricalopenings. The interior compartments and packing arrangements provideintegrated support for the sealing members and fastening ring whenopposing force is applied to piping elements that have been insertedinto the coupling arrangement. The present invention can be applied inheating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) environments, amongmany others.

Other methods, devices and arrangements as described herein are providedby the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of a device in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of a device with aninstalled packing arrangement on one side of the center body inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the deviceof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the portion of the device taken fromencircled portion 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 at a different stage of engagementfrom the device in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fitting body in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the fitting body of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the fitting body as taken along line9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the portion of the device taken fromencircled portion 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front right perspective view of a nut connector inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a rear right perspective view of a nut connector inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the nut connector of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the nut connector as taken alongline 14-14 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a right side view of a spacer gland in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the spacer gland as taken alongline 14-14 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the portion of the spacer gland takenfrom encircled portion 17-17 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a right side view of a fastening ring in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the fastening ring of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view of the portion of the fastening ring takenfrom encircled portion 20-20 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a release pusher in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a right side view of the release pusher of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a front cross-sectional view of the release pusher of FIG.21.

FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the portion of the release pusher takenfrom encircled portion 24-24 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a right side view of a lock washer in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a front view of the lock washer of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view of the portion of the lock washer taken fromencircled portion 27-27 of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a right side view of a lock washer in accordance withadditional embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the lock washer of FIG. 28, takenalong the line 29-29 of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a right side view of a spacer gland in accordance withembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a front cross-sectional view of the spacer gland of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the portion of the spacer gland takenfrom encircled portion 32-32 of FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a front right perspective view of an anti-rotational jawmember in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a right side view of the jaw member of FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is a top plan view of the jaw member of FIG. 33.

FIG. 36 is a front elevation view of the jaw member of FIG. 33.

FIG. 37 is a front cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the deviceof the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a front cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the deviceof the present invention.

FIG. 39 is an enlarged view of the portion of the device taken fromencircled portion 39-39 of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is a front cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the deviceof the present invention.

FIG. 41 is an enlarged view of the portion of the device taken fromencircled portion 41-41 of FIG. 40.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the device 10 of embodiments of the present invention as shown inFIGS. 1 through 30, elements of the device 10 as shown include: afitting body member 12 having one or more packing arrangements 37, 39,with each packing arrangement including all or a portion of: one or moresealing rings 14, 16, a sealing ring support member 18, a fastening ring21, a retaining ring 22, a release pusher 23, a shoe member 24 and a nutconnector 27. In various embodiments, the packing arrangement comprisesone or more sealing rings 14, 16, a sealing ring support member 18,fastening ring 21, retaining ring 22 and release pusher 23 within theinterior of the fitting body member 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6,nut connector 27 is secured to the exterior surface 15 of the fittingbody member 12, and shoe member 24 is secured between the body member 12and the nut connector 27. When installed, each packing arrangement 37,39 facilitates insertion of a pipe member 25 into the body member 12 andsecure retention thereof. The packing arrangements further provideresistance to and/or prevent rotation of an inserted pipe. FIGS. 1through 4 show two tubes or pipe members 25 connected or being connectedto respective packing arrangements using the device 10.

In various embodiments, the fitting body member 12 is a substantiallycylindrical body having an exterior surface 15, and an interior surface13 having a tube stop 29 extending radially inwardly thereof. As shownin FIG. 7, the exterior surface 15 can include one or more ramparts 61to facilitate engagement by an external tool (not shown) when rotatingthe fitting body 12 or otherwise manipulating the device. The tube stop29 effectively divides the fitting interior 13 into first 141 and second142 interior wall portions, and the tube stop element includes first 126and second 128 radially extending edges, and an axially extendingsurface 125. The edges 126, 128 act to stop the axial insertion of tubesduring operation of the present invention, and surface 125 is generallyaxially aligned with the internal surfaces of inserted tubes tofacilitate smooth movement of any materials or fluids inside of thetubes, for example. The interior surface 222 forms a cavity 330extending axially through the fitting body member 12 along axis 325, asshown in FIG. 9. In various embodiments, the fitting body member 12 canbe forged CW617N brass, with full porting and full flow fitting, forexample. In other embodiments, the fitting body member 12 can be aplastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or chlorinatedpolyvinyl chloride (CPVC), for example.

As shown in FIGS. 7 through 10, the fitting body member 12 issubstantially cylindrical and includes first 30 and second 31 segments,divided by a tube stop 29. The first 30 and second 31 segments areintegrally formed, such that the fitting body member 12 is a monolithicdevice. Each of the first 30 and second 31 segments includes an axiallyinner portion 32, an axially intermediate portion 34 and an axiallyouter portion 36, with the axially inner portion 32, axiallyintermediate portion 34 and axially outer portion 36 being integrallyformed and each having a respective interior wall surface 42, 44, 46/49,exterior wall surface 52, 54, 55, interior radius R2, R3 and/or R4, R5and an exterior radius R6, R7, R8, wherein the exterior radius R7 of theaxially intermediate portion 34 is larger than the exterior radius R6 ofthe axially inner portion 32, and wherein the exterior radius R8 of theaxially outer portion 36 is larger than the exterior radius R6 of theaxially inner portion 32 and the exterior radius R7 of the axiallyintermediate portion 34. In this way, and among other things, thepresent invention provides a greater sized opening at the pipe or tubingentry area on the fitting body 12 and a tighter opening within theaxially inner portion 32. As shown in FIG. 9, a first ridge 53 extendsradially outwardly from the outer wall 15 from a wall segment 60 forminga boundary for the axially inner portion 32 to a wall segment 62 forminga boundary for the axially intermediate portion 34. The exterior wallsurface 55 of the axially outer portion 36 can include a radiallyoutwardly extending thread 64 along a portion or all of the surface 55.The axially outer portion 36 can include a recessed interior wallportion 46 and an unrecessed portion 49, wherein recessed portion 46includes side wall 47 and side wall 48, as shown in FIG. 10.

As further shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the axially outer portion 36 of thefirst 30 and second 31 segments terminates in an axially outer rim 138.In various embodiments, the axially outer rim 138 has an internal radiusR1 that is substantially the same as the axially intermediate portioninternal radius R3 or R4. In various other embodiments, the axiallyouter rim 138 is sloped such that the radius varies from a shorter sizeat the axially inner edge 40 to a longer size at the axially outer edge41 of the radially inner edge 139 of the axially outer rim 138. In thisway, the opening formed by the inner edge 139 is adapted to receive theshoe member 24 as described elsewhere herein.

As further shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the interior radius R3 or R4 of theaxially intermediate portion 34 is larger than the interior radius R2 ofthe axially inner portion 32, and the interior radius R5 of the axiallyouter portion 36 is larger than the interior radius R2 of the axiallyinner portion 32 and the interior radius R3 or R4 of the axiallyintermediate portion 34. Additionally, the axially intermediate portion34 can be provided with a radial step 43 extending radially inwardlysuch that the axially intermediate portion 34 includes a first interiorwall portion 44A having an internal radius R3 and a second interior wallportion 44B having an internal radius R4, where the portions 44A and 44Bare separated by the radial step 43. As described elsewhere herein, theradial step 43 assists in providing an engaging surface for the sealingring support member 18 as part of the packing arrangement provided inaccordance with aspects of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, sealing rings 14, 16 are maintained againststop 29 and within the first interior wall portion 44A of the axiallyintermediate portion 34 of the fitting body member 12, and the sealingring support member 18 is maintained partially within the first interiorwall portion 44A and partially within the second interior wall portion44B of the axially intermediate portion 34 of the fitting body member12. In various embodiments, the sealing members 14, 16 can be lubricatedwith a food grade lubricant, for example. It will be appreciated thatthe sealing members 14, 16 can comprise a flat ring or washer-type sealmember that can be formed of EPDM rubber, for example. In variousembodiments, the sealing rings are ring-shaped members of substantiallycircular cross-section.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example, the retaining ring 22 issubstantially cylindrical and is partially maintained within theinterior wall 46 of the axially outer portion 36 of the fitting bodymember 12 and partially maintained within the second interior wallportion 44B of the axially intermediate portion 34 of the fitting bodymember 12. As shown in FIGS. 28 through 30, the retaining ring 22 has aradially interior surface 80, against which the release pusher 23 isslidably maintained during operation. The retaining ring 22 includes anaxially inner edge 82, an axially outer edge 83, a retaining lip 111, anaxially inner wall segment 112 as part of the radially interior surface80, and an axially outer wall segment 113 as part of the radiallyinterior surface 80. The retaining ring 22 further includes a radiallyouter surface 84 comprising an axially inner segment 87, an axiallyintermediate segment 88 and an axially outer segment 86. As shown inFIGS. 30 through 32, the axially intermediate segment 88 extendsradially outward further than the radial outward extension of theaxially inner 87 and outer 86 segments. Further, the axially innersegment 87 extends radially outward substantially the same distance asthe radial outward extension of the axially outer segment 86. In thisway, the outer surface 84 can substantially mate with the inner surface13 of the fitting body member 12, as the axially outer segment 86 liesin substantially flush engagement with the interior surface 49 of theaxially outer portion 36 of the fitting body member 12, the axiallyintermediate segment 88 lies in substantially flush engagement with theinterior wall 46 of the axially outer portion 36 of the fitting, and theaxially inner segment 87 lies in substantially flush engagement with theinterior wall portion 44B of the axially intermediate portion 34 of thefitting body member 12, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 9 and 10. The retainingring 22 further includes a first wall member 89 extending from theaxially inner segment 87 to the axially intermediate segment 88, and asecond wall member 91 extending from the axially outer segment 86 to theaxially intermediate segment 88. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, first wallmember 89 engages side wall 47 of the interior wall 46 of the axiallyouter portion 36 of the fitting body member 12, and second wall member91 engages side wall 48 of the interior wall 46 when installed. Inembodiments of the present invention, the retaining ring 22 can comprisea spring steel formulation, and can be provided as a unitary, unsplitmember or can be provided with a split similar to the embodiment of thefastening ring described elsewhere herein. For example, as shown in FIG.29, retaining ring 22 is formed with a split 122 exposing first 123 andsecond 124 opposing circumferential end edges. The split 122 canfacilitate insertion and removal of the retaining ring during assembly.No wrenches, solder, welding, glue and/or twisting and turning theelements are required to form or disengage a connection.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 18 through 20, a fastening ring 21 ismaintained within the second interior wall portion 44B of the axiallyintermediate portion 34 of the fitting body member 12, with thefastening ring base 17 having a radially outer edge 177 and being heldbetween an axially inner edge 82 of the tube support member 22 and anaxially outer edge 160 of the sealing ring support member 18. Thefastening ring 21, which can be an integral, unsplit ring or can be asplit ring member. In the embodiments where the fastening ring is asplit ring, the fastening ring can include two circumferential endpoints (not shown) that do not connect, with fixture points for handlingand compressing the fastening ring, such that a tool designed to holdthe fastening ring at the fixture points can more easily handle andcompress the fastening ring in order to assist with assembly ordisassembly of embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment,and once compressed, the fastening ring is easily insertable into thefitting body member 12 by releasing the hold on the fixture points,thereby allowing the fastening ring to expand such that thecircumferential base engages the walls of the second radial housingelement. The fastening can be removed from the second radial housingelement in similar manner. No wrenches, solder, welding, glue and/ortwisting and turning the elements are required to form or disengage aconnection.

The fastening ring 21 can comprise a spring steel formulation, forexample, that enables the fastening ring to be malformed duringinstallation, while springing back into its originally manufacturedposition once installed. The fastening ring is capable of grabbing aninserted pipe's surface via two or more teeth 19 to ensure connectionscannot be pulled apart. As shown in FIGS. 18 through 20, the fasteningring 21 includes a substantially cylindrical base 17 that has aplurality of bifurcated or square edged teeth 19 extending radiallyinwardly from and along the base 17. The teeth 19 of the fastening ring21 can extend at various angles from the base axis as measured when theteeth are at rest position and are not stressed by the insertion of apipe, for example. The number of teeth can readily vary in number andsize. In various embodiments, the fastening ring teeth 19 are angledradially and axially inwardly from the substantially cylindricalperimeter of the ring 17, toward the axially inner portion 32 and awayfrom the axially external portion 36 of the fitting body member 12, suchthat when a pipe is inserted, the teeth exert a pressure against thepipe to discourage the pipe from slipping or moving back out of thefitting. In various embodiments, the radially outer edge 177 of the ring21 includes radially outwardly extending nubs 219 for facilitating asnug and rotation-resistant engagement with the fitting interior 13.

As shown in FIGS. 15 through 17, the sealing ring support member 18 hasa circumferential base 162, an axially inner edge 166 that acts as asealing member-engaging surface and an axially outer edge 160 that actsas a fastening ring-engaging surface. The sealing ring support member 18can also include a notch 270 formed by a wall portion 272 extendingaxially inwardly of edge 166, and a wall portion 274 extending radiallyinwardly of base 162. Notch 270 provides a support surface for thesealing ring support member 18 to securely engage the radial step 43 ofthe interior surface 13 of the fitting body member 12. The sealing ringsupport member 18 further includes a radially inner surface 169 forengaging an inserted tube 25 during operation. The sealing ring supportmember 18 can be comprised of metal or plastic, for example. Thefastening ring 21 and sealing ring support member 18 can be split, invarious embodiments of the present invention. Such split arrangementsfor the sealing ring support member and fastening ring are shown anddescribed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 9,068,680, the disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

As shown in FIGS. 21 through 24, for example, the release pusher 23 issubstantially cylindrical and includes a wall 63 having an outer surface65, an inner surface 66, a back edge 67 and a leading tip 26. In variousembodiments, the wall 63 comprises a leading segment 68, a middlesegment 69 and a trailing segment 70. In various embodiments of therelease pusher 23 of the present invention, the leading segment 68comprises a single linear segment from a radially outer ledge 71 to theleading tip 26. In various other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 24, afirst leading outer wall segment 72 extends linearly at a first anglefrom the radially outer ledge 71 to a leading outer wall intermediatepoint 73, and a second leading outer wall segment 774 extends linearlyfrom the outer wall intermediate point 73 to the leading tip 26 at asecond angle. As shown in FIG. 21, when viewed in three dimensions,segment 72 and segment 774 are substantially frustoconical in shape. Invarious embodiments, the release pusher wall middle segment 69 is formedradially inwardly of the radially outer ledge 71, with an outer ledgeback wall 74 extending from the outer ledge 71 to the middle segment 69.The trailing segment 70 includes a back edge 67 which can be pushed toaxially move the release pusher 23 during operation, so as to move thetip 26 forward and influence the fastening ring teeth 19 to permitinsertion and/or removal of a pipe 25. In various embodiments, therelease pusher wall 63 is formed with one or more cavities 75 bounded byradial walls 76 and axial walls 77. The walls 76, 77 are contacted bythe shoe member 24 during operation, whereby the shoe member 24 canresist and/or prevent rotation of the release pusher 23, as describedelsewhere herein. In various embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 28, 29 and33 through 41, shoe member 224 with anti-rotational jaw members 240 areemployed and can be in contact with the walls (e.g., 77) of the releasepusher 23.

The release pusher 23 can comprise a single-piece, injection-moldedplastic material or a metal material such as brass, for example. Whenpressure is applied on the back edge 67 of the release pusher 23, theleading tip 26 can engage the inside surface of the fastening ring teeth19, and the outer ledge back wall 74 can removably engage a retaininglip 111 of the retaining ring 22. As the release pusher 23 is insertedinto the fitting 12, the radially outer ledge 71 is crimped somewhat asit slides along the axially outer wall segment 113 of the retaining ring22. The middle segment 69 provides sufficient resilience to allow theouter ledge 71 to flex backwardly and away from tip 26 as the releasepusher is inserted into the fitting. Once the outer ledge 71 passes theretaining lip 111 of the retaining ring, the outer ledge 71 expands suchthat the outer ledge back wall 74 lies in substantially flush engagementwith the retaining lip 111 and the outer ledge 71 lies in substantiallyflush engagement with the axially inner wall segment 112 of theretaining ring 22. In this way, the release pusher 23 is held in placeagainst the retaining ring 22 within the fitting body member 12, asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The trailing segment 70 of the release pusher 23 is slidably engagedwith the axially outer wall segment 113 once the release pusher 23 isinserted, and this slidable engagement assists the release pusher 23 intraveling substantially along the axis 325 of the fitting duringoperation. During removal, a tool such as a specially adapted wrench,for example, can be applied to the outer top surface of the releasepusher so as to exert a pushing and lifting force that causes therelease pusher outer ledge 71 to disengage the retaining lip 111. Oncethe release pusher is removed, the internal packing arrangementcomponents are exposed for removal and/or replacement as necessary ordesired.

FIGS. 11 through 14 illustrate embodiments of the nut connector 27 ofthe present invention. As shown therein, nut connector 27 is somewhatcylindrical with an axially extending wall 130 integrally formed with aradially extending end wall 132, and an opening 133 extending axiallytherethrough. The axially extending wall 130 has an interior surface 134and an exterior surface 136, wherein the interior surface 134 caninclude a thread 135 for engaging a thread 64 on the exterior wall 55 ofthe axially outer portion 36 of the fitting body member 12. The axiallyextending wall 130 terminates in a termination edge 191, as shown inFIGS. 12 and 14. The exterior surface 136 can include extended portions138 and indented portions 139 to facilitate hand gripping of theconnector 27 during operation. The radially extending wall 132 includesan interior surface 192, an exterior surface 194 and a circumferentialedge 195. As shown in FIG. 14, the radial distance R10 from the axis AAof the nut connector 27 to the interior surface 134 of the axiallyextending wall 130 is larger than the radial distance R9 from the axisAA of the nut connector 27 to the circumferential edge 195 of theradially extending wall 132. As further shown in FIG. 14, the nutconnector 27 includes an angled wedge surface 197 integrally formed withthe axially 130 and radially 132 extending walls. The wedge surface 197provides a suitable surface to engage the shoe member 24 duringoperation of various embodiments of the device.

FIGS. 25 through 27 illustrate an embodiment of a shoe member 24. Asshown therein, shoe member 24 is substantially ring-shaped and includesa body 150 having an exterior surface 152 and an interior surface 154.One or more notches 156 extend radially inwardly from the interiorsurface 154 of the body 150, and each notch 156 is adapted to engage arespective cavity 75 in the release pusher 23, so as to be capable ofengaging the outer surface of an inserted pipe 25 and facilitatingresistance to rotation of the inserted pipe. In various embodiments,there are four notches 156 around the perimeter of the interior surface154, and four cavities 75 in the release pusher 23. As shown in FIGS. 25through 27, the shoe member 24 can be formed with side surfaces 158, 159extending axially outwardly and radially inwardly from the exteriorsurface 152. In one embodiment, the side surfaces 158, 159 extend at anapproximately forty-five degree angle from the exterior surface 152. Inareas of the shoe member 24 containing a notch 156, the side surfaces158, 159 extend from the exterior surface 152 to notch edges 181, whichextend radially inwardly to a notch interior surface 164. As shown inFIGS. 5, 6, 25 and 27, the radially innermost portion 188 of each notchedge 181 is adapted to engage the release pusher 23, whereas theintermediate portion 168 of each notch edge 181 is adapted to engage theaxially outer edge 83 of the retaining ring 22 on a first side and theinterior surface 192 of the radially extending wall 132 of the nutconnector 27 on the second side. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,side surface 158 is adapted to engage the angled wedge surface 197 ofthe nut connector 27 and side surface 159 is adapted to engage theradially inner edge 139 of the axially outer rim 138 of the fitting bodymember 12. In various embodiments of the present invention, the shoemember 24 can comprise a metal or plastic component having suitableresiliency and structural memory, and can be provided as a unitary,unsplit member or can be provided with a split similar to the embodimentof the fastening ring described elsewhere herein. For example, as shownin FIG. 25, shoe member 24 is formed with a split 180 exposing first 182and second 184 opposing circumferential end edges. In variousembodiments, the split nature of the shoe member 24 allows the shoemember 24 to compress during tightening engagement of the retaining nut27 with the center body connector 12, effectively narrowing the split.As the retaining nut 27 is loosened, the shoe member 24 expands andre-forms back into its relaxed, original state, reducing the compressionof the packing arrangement on the inserted pipe 25.

It will be appreciated that the combination, or portions thereof, of thefastening ring 21, the sealing ring(s) 14, 16, the sealing ring supportmember 18, the retaining ring 22, release pusher 23, shoe 24 andretaining nut 27 provide a push-fit piping assembly when joined with thepipe fitting 12 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a shoe member224. As shown therein, shoe member 224 is substantially ring-shaped andincludes a body 250 having an exterior surface 252 and an interiorsurface 254. One or more notches 256 extend radially inwardly from theinterior surface 254 of the body 250, and each notch 256 is adapted toengage a respective cavity 75 in the release pusher 23, so as to becapable of engaging the outer surface of an inserted pipe 25 andfacilitating resistance to rotation of the inserted pipe. In variousembodiments, there are four notches 156 around the perimeter of theinterior surface 154, and four cavities 75 in the release pusher 23. Asshown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the shoe member 224 can be formed with sidesurfaces 258, 259 extending axially outwardly and radially inwardly fromthe exterior surface 252. In one embodiment, the side surfaces 258, 259extend at an approximately forty-five degree angle from the exteriorsurface 252. In areas of the shoe member 224 containing a notch 256, theside surfaces 258, 259 extend from the exterior surface 252 to notchedges 261, which extend radially inwardly to a notch interior surface264. In various embodiments, the radially innermost portion 288 of eachnotch edge 281 is adapted to engage the release pusher 23, whereas theintermediate portion 268 of each notch edge 281 is adapted to engage theaxially outer edge 83 of the retaining ring 22 on a first side and theinterior surface 192 of the radially extending wall 132 of the nutconnector 27 on the second side. Further, side surface 258 is adapted toengage the angled wedge surface 197 of the nut connector 27 and sidesurface 259 is adapted to engage the radially inner edge 139 of theaxially outer rim 138 of the fitting body member 12, in a similar mannerto that shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in connection with shoe member 24. Invarious embodiments of the present invention, the shoe member 224 cancomprise a metal or plastic component, and can be provided as a unitary,unsplit member or can be provided with a split similar to the embodimentof the fastening ring described elsewhere herein. For example, as shownin FIG. 28, shoe member 224 is formed with a split 280 exposing first282 and second 284 opposing circumferential end edges. In variousembodiments, the split nature of the shoe member 24 allows the shoemember 24 to compress during tightening engagement of the retaining nut27 with the center body connector 12, effectively narrowing the split.As the retaining nut 27 is loosened, the shoe member 24 expands andre-forms back into its relaxed, original state, reducing the compressionof the packing arrangement on the inserted pipe 25.

As further shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 and in various embodiments, one ormore of the notches 256 is provided with a slot 255 formed in theradially interior surface 264. The slot 255 can be formed with a bottomwall 293, end wall 292 and side walls 290, 291. In various embodiments,the bottom wall has a width W that is wider than the width of theradially innermost portion of the slot (between side wall edges 297 and299). In this way, the slot 255 is adapted to receive and retain arespective anti-rotational jaw member 240 as shown in FIGS. 33 through36, 39 and 41. Further, in various embodiments, the slot can extendaxially a length L that is less than the full axial length A of thenotch interior surface 264. In this way, end wall 292 can act torestrict axial movement of the anti-rotational jaw member 240 as it isemployed against the inserted piping element as described elsewhereherein. In various embodiments, slot extends axially the full length Aof the notch interior surface 264.

As shown in FIGS. 33 through 36, an anti-rotational jaw member 240 isprovided as a single-piece member having a base 241, side walls 243 andan arcuate top face 242. The curvature of the top face 242 is providedso as to align with an inserted pipe element during operation. The sidewalls 243 include an upper segment 245 extend radially downwardly to amiddle edge 246, and a lower segment 244 extending outwardly from themiddle edge 246 to the base 241 such that the width B of the lowersegment 244 is narrowest at middle edge 246 and the width C of the lowersegment is widest at base 241. In this way, jaw member 240 can besecurely retained within the slot 255 of the shoe member 224. In variousembodiments, the jaw member 240 is formed of a metal material, and theupper segment 245 extends radially inwardly further than radiallyinterior surface 264 of the shoe member 224. The jaw member 240 can bepositioned within a respective cavity 75 in the release pusher 23 duringoperation, and if the shoe member 224 is rotated, the jaw member 240 canfacilitate rotation stopping upon reaching wall 77 of release pusher 23.

During production of a fitting with packing arrangement therein, thefitting body member 12 of the present invention is provided and one ormore sealing members 14, 16 are inserted into the axially intermediateportion 34 of the fitting body member 12 and retained against the firstinterior wall portion 44A thereof. Next, the sealing ring support member18 is inserted so as to fit snugly within the axially intermediateportion 34 of the fitting body member 12, as notch 270 engages radialstep 43 such that support member base 162 is retained against second 44Binterior wall portion of fitting body member 12. The support member 18abuts the sealing ring member 16, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, forexample. As further shown therein, the fastening ring 21 is theninserted such that its radially outer edge 177 is securely retainedagainst the second interior wall portion 44B of the axially intermediateportion 34 of the fitting body 12, and the base 17 is further securelyretained between the sealing ring support member 18 and the retainingring 22. The retaining ring 22 is inserted so as to be retained in theaxially outer portion 36 and the second interior wall portion 44B of theaxially intermediate portion 34 of the fitting body member 12. Therelease pusher 23 is then inserted as described above. The nut connector27 and shoe member 24 can then be incorporated by securing the shoemember 24 between the axially outer rim of the fitting body member andthe nut connector, such that the one or more notches 156 engage arespective cavity 75 in the release pusher 23. According to variousembodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first side surface 158of shoe member 24 is adapted to engage the angled wedge surface 197 ofthe nut connector 27 and the second side surface 159 is adapted toengage the radially inner edge 139 of the axially outer rim 138 of thefitting body member 12. In various alternative embodiments, shoe member224 is employed with anti-rotational jaw members 240, instead of shoemember 24, as shown in FIGS. 37 through 41.

Upon initial tightening rotation of the nut connector 27, the thread 64of the fitting body member 12 engages the thread 135 of the nutconnector 27. At such time, and as shown in FIG. 6, there is a gap 355formed between the notch edge 181 of the shoe member 24 and the interiorsurface 192 of the radially extending wall 132 of the nut connector 27.This gap 355 is also present between the first side surface 158 andangled wedge surface 197, as well as between the release pusher 23 andthe notch edge 181 of the shoe member 24, as the notch edge 181 ispartially engaged with the cavity 75 of the release pusher 23. There isfurther a gap 357 present between the notch edge 181 and the retainingring 22, between the notch edge 181 and the cavity radial wall 76 of therelease pusher 23, and between the side surface 159 of the shoe member24 and the radially inner edge 139 of the axially outer rim of thefitting body member 12. As can be seen in FIG. 6, these gaps 355 and 357are more prevalent when the nut connector 27 and body member 12 have notbeen fully tightened, as noted by the relative positioning of threads 64and 135 as indicated at 359. In a similar fashion, when shoe member 224is employed with anti-rotational jaws 240, as shown in FIGS. 37 through39, a gap 260 exists between inner surface 264 of the notches 256 of theshoe member 224 and the inserted pipe 25. However, there is less of agap or even no gap between the anti-rotational jaw member(s) 240 and thepipe 25, as the jaw members 240 extend radially inwardly further thanthe notch inner surface(s) 264 as described elsewhere herein.

Upon further tightening of nut connector 27 with fitting body member 12,as shown in FIG. 5, the shoe member 24 is more firmly engaged with thenut connector 27 and body member 12, as the first side surface 158 ofshoe member 24 engages the angled wedge surface 197 of the nut connector27 and the second side surface 159 engages the radially inner edge 139of the axially outer rim of the fitting body member 12. It will beappreciated that gaps 355 and 357 are still present when the nutconnector 27, shoe member 24 and fitting body member 12 are so secured,but such gaps are desirable in order to permit release pusher 23 to moveaxially in both directions in order to engage and disengage thefastening ring teeth 19 when piping elements are being inserted andremoved. Nevertheless, as shown in FIG. 5, the notch interior surface164 of the shoe member 24 engages the inserted piping element 25 whenthe nut connector, shoe member 24 and fitting body member 12 are soengaged. As further shown in FIG. 5, the release pusher 23 is movableaxially so as to form a gap 363 between the ledge back wall 74 and theretaining ring 22. Similarly, as the nut connector 27 and body member 12are secured further together in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 40 and 41,the gap 260 (see FIG. 39) is significantly reduced, and theanti-rotational jaws 240 more securely engage the inserted pipe 25.

When a pipe 25 is inserted, it travels through the axial openings in thenut connector 27, the release pusher 23, the shoe member 24, theretaining ring 22, the fastening ring 21, the sealing ring supportmember 18 and the sealing member(s) 14, 16 into the pipe receivingcavity 330 of the fitting body member 12. It will be appreciated thatthe release pusher 23 can be extended axially forward prior to insertionof a pipe to force the fastening ring teeth 19 axially inwardly anddownward to provide sufficient clearance for the inserted pipe. When thepipe is fully inserted (i.e., when the leading edge of the pipe contactstube stop 29), the release pusher 23 can be released and returned to itsrelaxed and engaged position with the retaining lip 111 of the retainingring 22. In this position, the teeth 19 of the fastening ring 21 engagethe side walls of the inserted pipe in order to retain the pipe securelywithin the fitting body member 12. The sealing members provide a strong,leak-free seal and the combination of the sealing ring support member18, the fastening ring 21 and the retaining ring 22 prohibits anyinclination an inserted pipe may have to slide out of position. The shoemember 24 also assists in retention of the pipe 25, as well as withpreventing rotation of the pipe or surrounding components, as thenotch(es) of the shoe member firmly engage the one or more cavities 75in the release pusher 23. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 37 through41, shoe member 224 acts similarly to shoe member 24 of FIGS. 5 and 6;however, the anti-rotational jaws 240 act as teeth to further secure theinserted pipe and prevent its rotation.

It will be appreciated that multiple pipes 25 can be inserted andretained using the single fitting body member 12, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, for example. Among other things, the assembly of theembodiments of the present invention prevents rotation of the fittingabout an inserted tube. It will further be appreciated that, in variousembodiments of the present invention, the members of the push connectjoint assembly are formed through hydroforming processes. It will beappreciated that any and all dimensions described herein are exemplaryand provided as embodiments associated with proper working operation ofthe present invention.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the claims of the application rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A hybrid push-to-connect fitting, comprising: a fitting body member having an interior wall, an exterior wall and an axially outer rim, wherein the interior wall defines an internal cavity extending through the fitting along an internal axis; at least one packing arrangement comprising a release pusher maintained within the internal cavity of the fitting body member, wherein the release pusher comprises a wall having inner and outer surfaces, with at least one cavity formed in the wall; a nut connector threadably securable to the exterior wall of the fitting, with the nut connector having a radially extending end wall; and a single body shoe member secured between the axially outer rim of the fitting body member and the nut connector radially extending end wall, wherein the single body shoe member comprises a split body having exterior and interior surfaces, and further comprises at least one notch extending radially inwardly from the body interior surface, wherein the single body shoe member is compressible between the fitting body member and the nut connector so that the at least one notch extends into the at least one cavity formed in the wall of the release pusher.
 2. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the axially outer rim of the fitting body member includes a sloped radially inner edge extending axially and radially outwardly from an axially inner edge to an axially outer edge, and wherein the nut connector includes an axially extending wall and an angled wedge surface integrally formed with the axially extending wall and the radially extending end wall.
 3. The fitting of claim 2, wherein the shoe member is formed with first and second side surfaces extending axially outwardly and radially inwardly from the exterior surface thereof, such that the first side surface engages the sloped radially inner edge of the axially outer rim of the fitting body member, and the second side surface engages the angled wedge surface of the nut connector.
 4. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the at least one packing arrangement further comprises at least one sealing ring, a fastening ring, and a retaining ring.
 5. The fitting of claim 4, wherein the retaining ring is split.
 6. The fitting of claim 1, wherein the at least one notch is formed with a slot, and further including an anti-rotational jaw member positioned within the slot.
 7. A hybrid push-to-connect fitting, comprising: a fitting having an interior wall and an exterior wall, wherein the interior wall defines a cavity extending through the fitting along an internal axis and includes first and second segments separated by a tube stop element extending radially into the cavity from the interior wall, wherein each of the first and second segments includes a respective axially outer rim; a first packing arrangement inserted into the cavity so as to engage the interior wall of the first segment of the fitting; a second packing arrangement inserted into the cavity so as to engage the interior wall of the second segment of the fitting; a first nut connector threadably securable to the exterior wall of the first segment of the fitting, with the first nut connector having a radially extending end wall; and a first shoe member secured between the axially outer rim of the first segment of the fitting body member and the first nut connector radially extending end wall.
 8. The fitting of claim 7, further including a second nut connector threadably securable to the exterior wall of the second segment of the fitting, with the second nut connector having a radially extending end wall, and a second shoe member secured between the axially outer rim of the second segment of the fitting body member and the second nut connector radially extending end wall.
 9. The fitting of claim 7, wherein the first shoe member includes a body having exterior and interior surfaces, and further includes at least one notch extending radially inwardly from the body interior surface.
 10. The fitting of claim 9, wherein the at least one notch is formed with a slot, and further including an anti-rotational jaw member positioned within the slot. 